Thoughts on Thyroid Testing with Hemopet/Dr. Dodds?

[LifewithAva]

I've always done 3-year rabies, but she's required to have DHPP every year for playcare and agility classes. Like most, I don't agree with annual vaccines. It's amazing how many vets still push it and how many facilities still require it.

[flbasenji]

I know of owners whose vets have not used Hemopet (or MiSU). Many were determined to have hypothyroidism by most other labs, frequently based on testing just the T4 level. The basenjis were prescribed twice the dose as those of similar size, thyroid function, etc., as was recommended on Hemopet reports. At least one of those basenjis showed signs of HYPERthyroidism when prescribed medication based on results from other labs. . All of the basenjis who were prescribed the higher dose, then given half the dose and retested 4-6 weeks later with a full Thyroid5 panel at Hemopet, had thyroid values well within range per Hemopet and any symptoms of hyperthyroidism disappeared. Hemopet and MiSU adjust for breed - sitehounds have a lower normal T4 range than other breeds. Both Hemopet and MiSU have more information regarding 'proper' thyroid testing on their websites. It's worth reading information from both sites, http://www.hemopet.org/hemolife-diagnostics/veterinary-thyroid-testing.html and https://animalhealth.msu.edu/sections/endocrinology/Thyroid_Canine.php

[LifewithAva]

I appreciate the replies! Her vet suggested the FT4 test, but I thought Hemopet's Thyroid 5 and a consult with Dr. Dodds would be more thorough. The Hemopet site is very helpful, but I didn't know about MSU. Thanks for the suggestion-- I'll give it a look.

[Zande]

@lifewithava said in Thoughts on Thyroid Testing with Hemopet/Dr. Dodds?:

I don't agree with annual vaccines. It's amazing how many vets still push it and how many facilities still require it.

$$$$$$$ (dollar signs). Vets dreams

[Rugosa]

As my vet explained, he can't recommend a 3 year DHPP unless the MANUFACTURER has done whatever testing is necessary to recommended every 3 years for that particular vaccine. It's the same vaccine, but they have to do the testing to show that 3 years is ok. He now only gives one from the manufacturer that says it is ok to wait 3 years.
I don't know how many can now recommend every 3 years.

[seibel45]

@lifewithava I'd get the Thyroid Profile 5. I've had a number of dogs tested thru Hemopet; It's worth any additional cost or inconvenience because you'll receive an expert opinion: as with human doctors, few veterinarians really understand thyroid disease or thyroid testing because they don't deal with it often. Some veterinarians diagnose simply based on TSH and T4 levels, which really don't tell the whole story. Dr Dodd's and her crew deal with hypothyroid testing daily, and as a Hashimoto's sufferer myself I can't emphasize how vital it is to have an expert treating thyroid problems: A hypothyroid misdiagnosis can mean that an underlying problem is not diagnosed and treated. I trust Dr. Dodds 100%.

What symptoms make you think your parent's dog might have an underactive thyroid?

[LifewithAva]

@seibel45 She just turned five, but has gotten really lethargic, with no energy—lies around and sleeps all the time. She’s drinking a lot more water, pees more and her hair has been thinning. Her coat is losing its shine and feels rough, almost matted. Her skin has gotten flaky and scaly, but not itchy. She had been to the groomers for a bath and nail clip, so the vet said she could be having an allergic reaction to their products. The hair loss suddenly escalated around her tail—and the “rat tail” really made me think thyroid.

She’s had several eye and ear infections over the past six months and has been prescribed antibiotics for those. The vet suggested allergies, until the hair loss and change in her coat. She’s fed Fromm’s Surf-n-Turf, so no chicken or grains, and she’s been eating it for years. She’s on flea control and has been tested for parasites. No UTI; negative fecal. So we’re down to thyroid… Cushing’s (no weight gain or pot belly, though)… some unknown allergy… or maybe something else?

Thanks for the advice! I agree about Hemopet-- it's worth the added cost. We just want to find out what's wrong with her so we can get her the treatment she needs.

[LifewithAva]

@rugosa So it's like the 3-year rabies vaccine-- exactly the same as the 1-year product but costs more due to the added testing. When Ava was vaccinated last year, her vet didn't have the 3-year DHPP. Hopefully, she won't need to be vaccinated again.

[tanza]

@lifewithava - I assume that she or her sire/dam had been tested for Fanconi?

[LifewithAva]

@tanza My parents' dog is a rescue, but she had the Fanconi test when she was a year old. Luckily, it's not Fanconi.

[LifewithAva]

I just realized that this might be a bit confusing. I'm referring to two different dogs. My parents' dog is being thyroid tested. Ava is my dog and she has no shortage of energy!

[DebraDownSouth]

@lifewithava said in Thoughts on Thyroid Testing with Hemopet/Dr. Dodds?:

@rugosa So it's like the 3-year rabies vaccine-- exactly the same as the 1-year product but costs more due to the added testing. When Ava was vaccinated last year, her vet didn't have the 3-year DHPP. Hopefully, she won't need to be vaccinated again.

Legally, you don't have to give anything but rabies. And legally it has to say 3 years to be "legal" for 3 yrs. As for the rest, I have every 3 yrs until the dog is old. I give no vaccines after about 7 years old unless there is some new outbreak. Generally, a dog that is healthy is fully immunized by adulthood. If they have autoimmune issues, vaccinations won't help and may make worse. So recommended, don't recommend, when it isn't the law, you get to do what is best for your dogs.